The Student And Faculty Excellence (SAFE) Fund
Initially endowed by Hughlene and Bill Frank, the College of Arts and Sciences Student and Faculty Excellence (SAFE) Fund provides resources that can be used to support undergraduate, graduate and faculty experiences. The SAFE Fund provides funding for college priorities and opportunities that arise throughout the year. These unrestricted funds support student and faculty travel, publication support for faculty and student research opportunities. Read more about the SAFE Fund and see a current list of recipients.
Stats
On average, the SAFE Fund provides 32 grants per semester.
Faculty and students are awarded an approximate total of $15,000 per semester.
$29,890 was awarded from the Student And Faculty Excellence (SAFE) College Fund to 24 faculty members and 35 undergraduate and graduate students (59 awards) for the 2021-22 academic year to assist with student and faculty travel, publication support for faculty and student research opportunities.
By semester, that breaks down to:
- Fall 2021: 16 student awards totaling $4,365 and 12 faculty awards totaling $6,950
- Spring 2022: 19 student awards totaling $9,175 and 12 faculty awards totaling $9,400
Support
There are two ways to support the SAFE Fund:
Annual Fund
The SAFE Annual Fund allows for the distribution of your contribution in the current year.
Annual Fund Code: 92633
Endowment
The Hughlene Bostian Frank and William Allen Frank Student And Faculty Excellence Endowment
The SAFE Endowment Fund has been established in order to help future generations of students and faculty. With the SAFE Endowment, only the income earned by long-term investments of donor contributions can be used each year. Gifts to the endowment can include estate bequests and gifts from charitable trusts.
Endowment Fund Code: 97006
SAFE Grant

Fall 2023 SAFE Fund Application Open
BOONE, N.C. — The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is accepting applications for the Student and Faculty Excellence (SAF...

SAFE Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Christian Wallen
Dr. Christian Wallen, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry and Fermentation SciencesStudent and Faculty Excellence (SAFE) Fund Recipient: Spri...

SAFE Student Spotlight: Madeline Wight
Madeline Wight, M.S. BiologyStudent and Faculty Excellence (SAFE) Fund Recipient: Spring 2022Project: “Caloric Restriction and Its Effect on the Mic...

Support the App State College of Arts and Sciences during iBackApp
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University's 10th Annual iBackAPP giving celebration begins Wednesday, April 5, and ends Thursday, April 6, at midni...
What can your gift support
Here is a breakdown of what your dollars can support for College of Arts and Sciences students and Faculty.
$35
can cover student registration at a state-based or regional conference (especially if the student is presenting at a poster session)
$40
mileage reimbursement to a conference (especially if multiple students apply and can then share a ride)
$50
can purchase supplies for research labs; replace equipment or provide a financial incentive/reward for subjects in a research project
$100
can cover a night of lodging; costs of printing materials for a conference presentation or the purchase of research subject information or participants
$250+
awards a SAFE grant for a student to present at a conference or to purchase materials needed to conduct research
$500
is a typical award amount for a faculty SAFE grant which can be used for numerous things such as to complete a book project; pay a student worker; purchase equipment or assist with travel expenses to present at a conference and much more
Other opportunities for support
There are numerous other needs in the college and the departments that we support. Here are some other ways you can contribute to student and faculty success in App State CAS.
$1,000
per year with a four year commitment provides donors with the opportunity to name a scholarship
$5,000
per year with a five year commitment provides donors with the opportunity to endow a named scholarship
$10,000
covers the cost to hire a full time research assistant
$12,000+
names a classroom space in the newly renovated Sanford Hall
$15,000+
provides one semester's worth of funding for the SAFE Fund grant awards to faculty and students
Support

App State Alumni Awards honor 3 Mountaineers for outstanding accomplishments
BOONE, N.C. — Three Appalachian State University graduates were honored by the university’s Alumni Association at the 2023 Alumni A...

App State’s iBackAPP raises nearly $1.75 million, setting new record in 10th year
BOONE, N.C. — App State’s 10th annual iBackAPP event — the university’s largest giving celebration of the year — set new records f...

SAFE Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Christian Wallen
Dr. Christian Wallen, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry and Fermentation SciencesStudent and Faculty Excellence (SAFE) Fund Recipient: Spri...